Dr. Lynn Sosnoskie, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Cornell University, is asking for your input!
Happy New Year!
As the state Liaison for the IR-4 Project, I am writing to request your input on the most pressing weed, insect, and pathogen management challenges in your key commodities. Your feedback, including suggestions of pesticides that could or should be evaluated, will help shape IR-4sponsored research trials planned for 2027.
Please take time to review the 2026 Food Use Workshop results (https://www.ir4project.org/ events/2025-food-use-workshop/) to familiarize yourself with pest–crop–pesticide combinations that have ranked highly in the past (“A” Priorities; see the Pre-Workshop Nomination Lists). When developing your suggestions, cross-reference your interests with the 2026 Final Residue and Product Performance Lists. Please do not resubmit needs already included on those lists, as they are part of trials scheduled for the coming year.
REPLY DIRECTLY TO ME. Let’s not frustrate the greater community with a flurry of reply-all responses.
If you are unfamiliar with the IR-4 Project, it is a U.S. Department of Agriculture–funded program that helps specialty crop growers gain access to safe and effective pest management tools. IR-4 generates the research data needed for EPA registration of crop protection products that are often not financially feasible for registrants to pursue independently. The project supports conventional, biopesticide, and integrated pest management solutions for insects, weeds, and diseases, helping ensure specialty crop producers remain productive, competitive, and compliant with regulatory standards.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Cheers,
Lynn